Live music is the heartbeat of any party – it sets the rhythm of the evening and the flow of conversation, creates memories out of great songs, and jump-starts the celebration with ecstatic dancing.

Playing all types of events, the Party Faithful features three versatile and dynamic vocalists and is propelled by two sizzling horns, an unstoppable rhythm section made up of guitar, keys, bass, and drums, and a distinctive electric violin. Together, this all-star ensemble rides a tidal wave of rock and rhythm, creates a dazzling stage show in the process, and entices each audience with a musical energy unique to our productions.

Customization is a cornerstone of every Party Faithful performance, as they work closely with each client to create a unique song list and performance concept that results in a one-of-a-kind show that keeps the dance floor full.

Meleesa Sullivan

Vocalist

Meleesa is a Chicago native whose love and appreciation of music began at an early age, continued in her studies at DePaul University School of Music, and has led to a career that has crossed musical genres and taken her around the country. A vocalist who has performed classical, jazz, rock, pop, reggae and more, Meleesa’s influences range from Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder to Sarah McLachlan and Annie Lennox. Among the highlights of her career is sharing the stage with Patti LaBelle and the Pointer Sisters, and recently singing background vocals for R&B artist Seal on a live taping of Soundstage. Meleesa is a founding member of The Party Faithful, and her voice is part of the fabric of the band.

Ameerah Tatum

Vocalist

Born in Milwaukee, WI, Ameerah started singing publicly at the age of 10. Her outsized talent as both a lead and a background singer brought her nationwide recognition, and led to world tours with Alexander O’Neal, Sheena Easton, Janet Jackson (Janet Tour), and multiple stints with Paula Abdul (Club MTV, Forever Your Girl, Under My Spell). She also worked with The Brand New Heavies, eventually stepping in when lead vocalist N’Dea Davenport left the tour. After giving birth to her first child, Ameerah returned to the Midwest where she quickly became a valued and sought-after member of the Chicago and Milwaukee music community for original projects, special events and large festivals. Ameerah recently shared the stage with icon Stevie Wonder, and brings that powerful stage presence to every Party Faithful performance.

Pat Fleming

Guitar

A musician well-versed in Folk, Balkan, Jazz, Blues, and Rock styles, Pat has showcased his artistic range as a member of two of Chicago’s most avant garde bands, D-Section and The Balkan Rhythm Band. Pat also toured the country with The Fareed Haque Quartet, an ensemble that opened for Sting at Switzerland’s famous Montreaux Jazz Festival. As lead guitarist for original rock band, Mother Root, he opened for rock luminaries Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. He was one of four musicians performing for “The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,” a musical written by Stephen King and John Mellencamp. Pat currently performs and records with Howard Levy’s Acoustic Express Quartet. Pat is also an in demand producer and composer.

Matt Nelson

Piano

Over the past fifteen years, Matt Nelson has established himself as one of

Chicago’s most in-demand and versatile keyboardists. Matt has performed and toured in blues and jazz bands, original rock bands, and high-end wedding and corporate bands and has accompanied and arranged for comedians, choirs, big bands, singers, and hip-hop artists, both live and in the studio Matt also spent several years collaborating and touring with Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, Matthew Santos and hip-hop artist, Lupe Fiasco, and has made appearances on many national TV shows, including Late Night with David Letterman, the Colbert Report, and the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Over the years, Matt has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the likes of John Legend, Erykah Badu, Journey’s Steve Augeri, (Jefferson) Starship’s Mickey Thomas, and Fran and Anton Cosmo (formerly of Boston), among many others. He is the also the Music Director for The Party Faithful.

Goeffrey Lowe

Bass

An eclectic modern bassist who spent his formative years in Colorado playing violin, guitar, piano, and basses, Geoffrey relocated to Chicago to work with a wider variety of players and composers. Since then, he has toured Europe with both jazz and classical groups, has performed with artists that range from Monty Alexander and David Fathead Newman to Clark Terry and Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and has appeared on recordings alongside David Sanborn, Fareed Haque, and Paul Wertico, just to name a few. Some of Geoff’s musical highlights include performances at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the Park Tower Blues Festival in Japan, and the Spoletto Music Festival in Italy.

Scott Burns

Sax

Scott Burns has been a fixture on the Chicago jazz scene since his arrival in 1998. He has performed extensively in Chicago and beyond with the likes of Kurt Elling, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Harry Connick Jr., Anne-Hampton Calloway, Lou Rawls, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Ahmad Jamal, Clark Terry and many other internationally known jazz artists. His latest CD of original compositions for Origin Records, Passages, has received national critical acclaim. In addition to performing, Scott is an in-demand music educator, serving on the music faculties of DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago, North Park University, Columbia College, and is currently the Assistant Program Director and faculty saxophonist at Birch Creek Music Academy’s summer jazz program. Scott has also been a performer and clinician at several universities and high schools in Chicago and the Midwest.

Brian Schwab

Trumpet

Brian’s performance career began at a young age leading him to attend the nationally recognized College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. While attending the Conservatory, Brian’s strength as a trumpeter led him to be in demand on the local scene, as well as offering him the opportunity to perform with many national acts including The Temptations, Frankie Valli, The Drifters, Herman’s Hermits, Patti Page, and more.

Upon moving to Chicago, Brian found many new opportunities to perform, including touring with Don Henley of the Eagles and performing in Chicago Broadway shows with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in Mel Brooks’ “The Producers,” as well as Deborah Gibson and Eartha Kitt in “Cinderella.” Brian has also shared the screen with Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, and John Cusack in Spike Lee’s theatrical release “Chi-Raq.” In addition, Brian shared his talents and recording studio with Spike Lee while engineering the soundtrack for the movie “Chi-Raq.” You can find Brian performing all styles of music from jazz to rock to gospel in the numerous Chicagoland local clubs and hot spots.

Brian’s acuity for music, not only embraces performing live, but also encompasses recording music and the visual arts. He owns and operates a successful production studio, which offers him many opportunities to work with local, national, and international artists. The connections Brian has made performing, recording, and working with people has been a blessing. He believes there is a tangible joy in sharing music with others.

Colby Beserra

A fixture in the Chicago music scene for over a decade, Colby Beserra’s broad experience in both music and theater has ranged from performance, production, and composition to direction and education. Colby has performed with country singer Faith Hill, had an original song featured in the movie The Guardian (starring Kevin Costner), and has worked as a Music Director for WBEZ’s “Under Cover” series on Chicago Public Radio. A graduate of Northwestern University’s theater school, Colby has acted as music director, actor, and composer for various Chicago theater productions. Colby provides band leadership, vocals, and guitar for the Party Faithful and brings his passion for performance to the stage with every event.

Vance Okraszewski

Vance Okraszewski is a freelance Chicago based drummer and percussionist. Vance’s career as a musician has flourished in a wide variety of settings, ranging from commercial studio work, cover bands, musical theatre and pit orchestra work, jazz projects and original rock groups, to orchestral percussion performance and accompaniment for modern dance. As a drum set artist, he has toured nationally with Lynda Carter, Gary Sinise and the Lt Dan Band, Lucy Lawless, Don Rickles, Jon Bauman, Justin Guarini, Diana DiGarmo, Kimberley Locke, Constantine Maroulis and Michael Orland, the assistant musical director for American Idol. As a theatre musician, he has played drums and percussion on the following shows: Chicago, Saturday Night Fever, Rock of Ages, Million Dollar Quartet, Company, Madagascar, Oklahoma, Boys From Syracuse, City of Angels, The Producers, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Ring of Fire. ​

Katherine Andrick

Violin

Violinist Katherine Andrick has strong roots in classical music, but fell in love with improvisation during her time at Elmhurst College, just outside of Chicago. There, Katherine was fortunate enough to study under former Cirque du Soleil violinist Edgar Gabriel, prominent Chicago guitarist Frank Portolese, and renowned jazz arranger, Doug Beach. Katherine has now performed internationally, as well as all over the United States in a variety of styles, including country, zydeco, blues, rock, jazz, classical, and fusion. She has played on The Steve Harvey Show as well as The TLC Show, Four Weddings, for featured Chicago weddings and proposals. Though she has performed with many talented artists, a highlight for her was the opportunity to open for country music star, Brad Paisley. Currently, she is very excited to be playing in the Matt Jones Orchestra (Spike Lee’s Chi-raq, BJ The Chicago Kid.) Along with recording studio and commercial work, she is also an active educator, frequently working as a clinician, guest artist, and adjudicator. Katherine loves combining her diverse musical background with The Party Faithful where she can play music that everyone enjoys.

CONTACT US

We would love to sit down and meet with you. We have flexible office hours including evenings. We look forward to learning more about your event!

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

I wanted to reach out to you on behalf of Bridget and myself to thank you both so, so much for all of your assistance leading up to and on the event day for Crate and Barrel. We know there was a lot of back and forth, beginning with the contract and changes, and then at the end with the weather surprises. You both handled everything so eloquently and efficiently, and you truly make it so easy to work with you and to continue referring you.
We are your number one fans, and we look forward to even more events together in the future! Thank you so much!

Shannon Gail Clemonds~Shannon Gail Wedding & Events

I wanted to send a note of thanks for the musicians for my Honorands Dinner! Mike and Katherine were fantastic again this year and provided an elegant modern touch to the event.
I hope we can work together again soon.
Have a wonderful rest of your week!

Barbara Siska~University of Chicago Law

I wanted to say a big time thank you to you and your team and pass along HUGE kudos to your bands. From both the staff and guests perspective, the bands on Friday and Saturday were beyond fabulous and were a huge hit. You should feel so proud – they were GREAT! Northwestern Law loves working with you and your team and I look forward to continuing to work with you at many events to come.
Thanks for always providing such fun and professional service. You guys are the best!

Christine Breakey~Northwestern Law

WOW. IMPRESSED.
Quite a family of talent you represent… Yesterday’s Blues quartet and DJ Zach both hit it out of the park. The morning music was a perfect fit, and got the audience excited, then took it up a notch with the guest vocalist. Then to close the day with an outstanding dj, who could read the crowd and kept the energy going all night with a wide variety of guests from all of the world was a Godsend. I was running around back and forth and didn’t get the chance to meet the band personally, but luckily was able to run into Zach as he was all packed up and headed out of the room.
Please give a round of applause and pats on the back to your bevy of artists. The conference tagline this year is ‘Go the Extra Mile’ and your performers certainly hit the mark! Now onto the next one!

Stephen Fernandez~ 360 Destination Group

Just wanted to send a huge thank you for organizing the band and flappers for the event. All of the entertainment went down extremely well with guests and especially the CEO. The band just got into their groove when we had to cut for the night but would definitely recommend.

Thanks again for organizing everything and working with us on this.

Lee Jones~ First Global Events Agency

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Mike Weber

Mike has been involved in the event industry since the age of 16.

As Director of Sales & Logistics for BeatMix, he oversees the details of every event behind the scenes to ensure that the clients musical vision is accomplished and that all elements of each performance are meticulously planned and executed.

Jessie Pare

Jessie Paré comes to BeatMix Music with a multifaceted background in the wedding and special event industry. Jessie got her start at one of Chicago’s most popular venues, The Chicago History Museum, where she managed weddings and corporate events. Following her time at the Chicago History Museum, Jessie became the wedding and social catering manager of both W Hotels of Chicago, gaining valuable insight into the world of hotels. Just prior to joining the BeatMix Music family, Jessie was a catering sales executive for the boutique luxury catering company, Calihan Catering, where she had the privilege to work with many of Chicago’s premier event venues. BeatMix Music band BKO did Jessie’s own wedding long before she joined the team. After her own amazing experience with BeatMix, she became passionate about making sure all of her venue and catering clients hired incredible entertainment. It was only fitting, that after years of recommending the BeatMix Music bands, that she join the team. Armed with a passion for client care and event logistics, Jessie is an exciting and inevitable addition to the BeatMix team!

Tammy Bendoff

Tammy is more than an office manager, she is the glue that keeps BeatMix Music together. Tammy, otherwise known as the gatekeeper, is the main point of contact when a client first calls or emails. She has an amazing ability to juggle multiple tasks at one time yet still finds ways to keep the office organized and balanced. Tammy thrives on creativity and fits right in with our diverse crew. When not on Facebook, you can find Tammy hanging out with her family and friends, giving back to multiple organizations that are close to her heart and enjoying life.

Becca Kaufman

A native New Yorker, Becca moved to Chicago to attend Northwestern University’s renowned theatre program. Beginning her career as one of the most sought-after jingle writers/session vocalists in Chicago, Becca quickly expanded her talents to producing musical showcases and albums, providing commercial voice overs, and becoming a wedding expert featured on TV and radio—including her own radio show “I Do, I Do” on 105.9fm, WCKG. Becca has been leading her own society band, BKO, for the past eleven years and a little over five years ago, launched BeatMix Music, hoping to match every client with an unparalleled music experience. Becca has appeared on stage with performers such as Lily Tomlin, Brooke Shields, Phoebe Snow, Tony Roberts, and Ellen Burstyn and a few years ago was a spotlight performer in the Broadway Chicago Concert in Millennium Park singing for over 19,000 people. She is also in the feature film Scrooge & Marley, appearing as a comedic cabaret singer. And, should you wonder where her hometown loyalties reside—she has sung the National Anthem for both the world-champion Chicago Bulls and her forever-losing New York Knicks. Becca feels privileged to have a life and career in music.